Super Size Me

Starring/directed/written by: Morgan Spulock

Interview with Morgan Spurlock

Bluntly Speaking? Super Size Me is McBrilliant and may be one of the most important documentaries you'll ever see. What's it McTake to stop us from inhaling foods that we know are no good for us - especially when being bad tastes so good? Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock's witty, deceptively intelligent, look at mega-corp McDonald's fast food empire will snap you out of your food frenzy - but fast. By the end of this super sized bit of educational entertainment you'll sit in utter disbelief that, 1. We allow ourselves to be hoodwinked so easily, and 2. That somehow McCorporateBigWigs didn't crush this man and his small fry film into special sauce.

As a consumer, Morgan Spurlock, decides he's none too keen on McDonald's and their osmosis into society. They were the pre-Starbucks, pre-Walmart, original behemoths that paved the way for corporate bullies everywhere and standardized our "home towns" into cookie-cutter plains of logo filled strip malls.

McDonald's starts their life-long marketing strategy on our young…luring them with cackling purple velvet clad actors, and hamburger shaped muppets baring fat-filled gifts, while block-buster toys provide sub-advertising inside artistically appealing McBoxes. The childrens' small minds are unaware of the subliminal messages they're being fed as they frolic within the ergo dynamic McPlayground's funlands sliding straight into the belly of the beast - the corporate beast.

Just how brainwashed into unhealthy McIndulging are we as a nation? Well, Spurlock stops an average American family in front of the White house and asks them to recite our 'Pledge of Allegiance'…skips and burps riddle the familiar tune as they sadly whimper through. But when he asks them to croon McDonald's "Special Orders" jingle their faces light up and the group seamlessly wail the ditty complete with choreographic accents their minds filled with happy (engraved) memories of special outings with fries and hamburgers capping a fun-filled day…at least that's how they remember it! (<- Dadadum - insert evil music here please).

Spurlock weaves his non-fiction tale with himself as the center of the consuming mayhem. This brave soul has decided - for the good of his film - he'll eat nothing but McDonald's for thirty days. He can diversify only within Ronald's realm of choices - and if a counter pusher asks him if he'd like to "super-size" he will- every time. He's going to find out if the food is actually good for you…in any little way …since we eat so very much of it.

He starts by heading to the doctors. He's in very good shape and three separate specialists document his journey to the belly of the bulge. He notifies McDonald's Headquarters (to deaf ears) of his intensions, he travels across the country ordering up a McStorm, err, McFlurrie of foods all off the menu all day long. He doesn't technically "over eat" yet still the jolly jiggle seeps into his pores.

As expected Spurlock adds a McHefty bit of blubbery poundage to his strained, FDA unapproved body. There's a helluva lot of sodium, cholesterol and unpronounceable mixed in between those to savory buns he's now living on after all!

What's unexpected is Spurlock's body's toxic reaction to the food chain's fare. Granted one doesn't usually eat McBurgers three times a day - but as we learn McDonald's is visited by what the corporation themselves calls "Heavy Users," or more delicately said, people who McPigOut multiple times in a week way more than we'd care to think…or perhaps admit? But even so the food is completely disposable, unredeemable empty intake. Think you're safe with the harmless fruity yogurt parfait? Think again my pretty!

The expression "suffering for one's art" is pushed to the limits here as you find yourself begging Spurlock to just stop killing himself - literally - with McValue Meals and McIngredients from hell. Meanwhile, artist satirist Ron English supplies these evil McPaintings of Ronald McDonald-like dominions in less than McHappy tableaus that just make you cringe in fear when they flash across the screen.

Super Size Me should be mandatory viewing in our schools and screened on citywide television portals for all citizens within a ten-mile radius of the "golden arches" of doom. For now, just remember fast food restaurants are not meant for everyday dining people.

Snack recommendation: An organic baby leaf salad, tossed with carrots, a fresh squeezed lemon atop with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, with a bottle of spring water - made at home where you can monitor the McExtra ingredients you're adding..